Call for appointment of international members of the University Board

Pursuant to the Statutes of the South East European University, the Nominations Committee of the University Board invites expression of interest from qualified individuals from the member states of the European Higher Education Area in filling one of the two available positions as international member of the Board with effect from 1 September 2020. The other position will be filled by a qualified individual from the United States of America.

The individual appointed from this call is expected to be elected as President of the University Board for an initial period of four years i.e. until August 2024, potentially renewable by mutual agreement provided that the other criteria for appointment are met, notably that no appointment or re-appointment may be made once the person concerned reaches age 70. The previous Presidents have been the late HE Ambassador Dr Max van der Stoel (NL) (2001-2004), Prof Dr Rolf Dubs (CH) (2004-2008) and Prof Dr Dennis Farrington (UK) (2008-2020).

To be qualified for the initial appointment, the individual must as already stated be aged under 70 (preferably under 66 to allow for re-appointment) on 1 September 2020. The Nominations Committee wishes to attract candidates who hold qualifications and/or have had professional experience (for example as a full professor, in a Ministry, quality assurance agency, or international organization) considered by the Committee to be appropriate to the role. The business of the University Board is conducted in the English language, one of the three working languages of the University, the others being Albanian and Macedonian, so fluency in English is a specific requirement. The person appointed is expected to be able to work constructively with all levels of the government and relevant agencies in North Macedonia and its diplomatic community, as well as maintain good relations with the management, staff and students of the University.

SEE University, a private-public not-for-profit fiscal entity, is a unique institution in the Republic of North Macedonia, relying largely on tuition fees but also receiving a significant element of its funding from the government. The seven-member University Board is also a body not present in the public universities. It works according to a set of rules derived from the Law on Higher Education, the University Statute and international standards, incorporating a contemporary code of ethics derived from the Council of Europe ‘ETINED’ framework. Either itself, or in defined cases acting through its Executive Committee, it (i) exercises overall control of the strategic planning of the University, and its financial sustainability; (ii) appoints the chief executive officer (the Rector) after consultation with the Senate; (iii) approves the annual budget and accounts; (iv) oversees external and internal audit to international standards through an Audit and Risk Management Committee currently chaired by the President; (v) oversees human resources policies and procedures through a Staffing Committee; (vi) exercises oversight of the senior management; (vii) approves senior academic appointments which are recommended by the Senate; (viii) may engage in fundraising; and (ix) generally brings to the University a range of external expertise and advice both through the two international members and also the two independent members appointed from the community through a separate call. The remaining three Board members are elected by the Senate which consists of academic staff elected by the Faculty Councils, other staff and students. The Senate’s authority extends to all academic matters including quality assurance and it is also consulted on other matters by the University Board and the Rector. The President of the Student Parliament is invited to attend Board meetings, which are also open to observation by staff and students.

The President is expected to be present in the University at least three weeks per annum, for biannual meetings of the Board and its Committees (currently held in June, with the degree ceremony held around the same time, and November) and meetings of the Executive Committee of the Board, which has delegated authority in some areas (currently held in March and September, the September meeting traditionally held outside the country). In addition, it is expected that the President will be available at reasonable times off-site to advise and counsel the Rector and other members of the University management.

The position will be remunerated at an agreed daily rate appropriate to a consultancy in the region managed by the Council of Europe, paid monthly. Reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed, and either accommodation will be provided on campus, or a per diem to cover local hotel accommodation will be paid at University rates.

Interested individuals are invited to contact the President of the Nominations Committee, Prof Dr Dennis Farrington, for informal discussion by email: d.farrington@seeu.edu.mk. Further information about the University can be found on its website: www.seeu.edu.mk .

Formal applications, to be submitted by 1600 hrs (CET) on 6 March 2020 , must be in English and submitted by email to the Secretary-General of the University, Dr Xhevair Memedi: x.memedi@seeu.edu.mk including a scanned covering letter addressed to the Nominations Committee, and C.V. preferably in Europass format, plus scanned letters of recommendation from two persons of the individual’s choice. Referees may be contacted at the discretion of the Nominations Committee. Following the meeting of the Nominations Committee on 13 March 2020, one or more selected individuals will be invited to visit the University’s campuses in Tetovo and Skopje at the University’s expense for informal discussion with the Rector and senior staff, followed by further consideration by the Committee. The formal appointment will be made by the University Board on 5 June 2020, to which the successful applicant will be invited.

All enquiries, requests for information, applications and related materials will be treated in confidence in accordance with the Law on Protection of Personal Data. The University is an equal opportunities institution.

Dennis Farrington
President of the Nominations Committee
20 January 2020.

Pursuant to the Statutes of the South East European University, the Nominations Committee of the University Board invites expression of interest from qualified individuals from the United States higher education institutions in filling one of the two available positions as international member of the Board with effect from 1 September 2020. The other position will be filled by a qualified individual from the European Higher Education Area.

The mandate of both members is for four years in the first instance. In accordance with the Statute, no member may be appointed or re-appointed after reaching the age of 70 years.

To be qualified for the initial appointment, the individual must as already stated be aged under 70 (preferably under 66 to allow for re-appointment) on 1 September 2020. The Nominations Committee wishes to attract candidates who hold qualifications and/or have had professional experience (for example as a full professor, in a Ministry, quality assurance agency, or international organization) considered by the Committee to be appropriate to the role. The business of the University Board is conducted in the English language, one of the three working languages of the University, the others being Albanian and Macedonian, so fluency in English is a specific requirement.

SEE University, a private-public not-for-profit fiscal entity, is a unique institution in the Republic of North Macedonia, relying largely on tuition fees but also receiving a significant element of its funding from the government. The seven-member University Board is also a body not present in the public universities. It works according to a set of rules derived from the Law on Higher Education, the University Statute and international standards, incorporating a contemporary code of ethics derived from the Council of Europe ‘ETINED’ framework. Either itself, or in defined cases acting through its Executive Committee, it (i) exercises overall control of the strategic planning of the University, and its financial sustainability; (ii) appoints the chief executive officer (the Rector) after consultation with the Senate; (iii) approves the annual budget and accounts; (iv) oversees external and internal audit to international standards through an Audit and Risk Management Committee currently chaired by the President; (v) oversees human resources policies and procedures through a Staffing Committee; (vi) exercises oversight of the senior management; (vii) approves senior academic appointments which are recommended by the Senate; (viii) may engage in fundraising; and (ix) generally brings to the University a range of external expertise and advice both through the two international members and also the two independent members appointed from the community through a separate call. The remaining three Board members are elected by the Senate which consists of academic staff elected by the Faculty Councils, other staff and students. The Senate’s authority extends to all academic matters including quality assurance and it is also consulted on other matters by the University Board and the Rector. The President of the Student Parliament is invited to attend Board meetings, which are also open to observation by staff and students.

The international member from the US Higher education institutions is expected to attend one University Board meeting each year at the University’s expense, and any other meetings using alternative funds or by video-conference.

Interested individuals are invited to contact the President of the Nominations Committee, Prof Dr Dennis Farrington, for informal discussion by email: d.farrington@seeu.edu.mk. Further information about the University can be found on its website: www.seeu.edu.mk.

Formal applications, to be submitted by 1600 hrs (CET) on 6 March 2020, must be in English and submitted by email to the Secretary-General of the University, Dr Xhevair Memedi: x.memedi@seeu.edu.mk including a scanned covering letter addressed to the Nominations Committee, and C.V., plus scanned letters of recommendation from two persons of the individual’s choice. Referees may be contacted at the discretion of the Nominations Committee. Following the meeting of the Nominations Committee on 13 March 2020, one or more selected individuals will be contacted for informal discussion with the Rector and senior staff, followed by further consideration by the Committee. The formal appointment will be made by the University Board on 5 June 2020, to which the successful applicant will be invited.

All enquiries, requests for information, applications and related materials will be treated in confidence in accordance with the Law on Protection of Personal Data. The University is an equal opportunities institution.

Dennis Farrington
President of the Nominations Committee
20 January 2020.